Baton Rouge native Laura Cedor has always unequivocally loved design, architecture, and construction. And, Laura’s dedication to her clients and driven nature is what sets her apart as a designer. She is passionate about giving her clients a home that they love and making sure they feel comfortable and heard along the way. We sat down with Laura to discuss her design philosophy and how it impacts the custom and semi-custom home-building experience at Bardwell Homes.
“My passion is to create timeless spaces that will shape the way families experience life, happiness, and love within their most sacred place, home.”
Tell us about your overall approach to design.
Because I am a mom of five, I have a firsthand appreciation of the importance of a durable product. So, I strive to select finishes that will withstand real life, whatever that may look like for each individual client and family. Timeless design never compromises overall quality and functionality.
How do you balance functionality and aesthetics?
This balance depends on each room of the house. For instance, the dining room in the front of the house where events like Christmas dinner, Sunday family get-togethers, and special moments will receive a different treatment in terms of fabric and finishes.
How does good interior design impact the home experience?
Good design is very much individualized – it is all about emotion, comfort, and feel. Interior design textures and colors impact your emotions, so you have to consider how each person will use and appreciate the spaces. Ultimately, people want to feel comfortable and love the spaces within their home.
How did your relationship with Bardwell Homes begin?
Our relationship began when one of my custom clients selected Bardwell Homes to build their forever home. I was extremely impressed with Bardwell and was excited to work on future projects with them!
Walk us through the interior design process for a semi-custom home vs. a custom home.
The semi-custom home process offers a curated selection from a design team in which a homeowner comes in and designs based on these selections. This protects the homeowner and keeps them within budget while still giving a custom-feeling experience with the benefit of selecting from options for wood flooring, millwork, countertops, mirrors, and hardware.
On the other hand, the custom home process is a start to finish; the sky is the limit, and the selection of all fabrics, finishes, and materials for each space within the home. This allows the homeowner to add a personal touch within all the elements of their home – with a larger point of emphasis on budget management, as a result.
What’s the collaboration process like with the client and Bardwell?
When a client comes to Bardwell Homes, we host a creative meeting about their ideas, pictures, favorite paint colors, etc. In this first meeting we learn a lot about the homeowners’ goals. We hear how they intend to use the space, whether it’s their first home and they are about to get married or they are looking to downsize.
Once we have a full understanding of their vision, we start with big picture items, such as exterior paint, front doors, roof, brick, windows, interior doors, interior cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and cabinets. After that initial meeting we have one or two additional meetings to select the more detailed design elements.
How do you manage budget constraints with the design goals, even if the client’s needs or vision evolves over time?
Budget constraints happen in every single job. I educate my clients that we do not need to include every trendy detail and that there is a way to prioritize what is the most important to them. For instance, my client wanted a beautiful white marble kitchen countertop. To stay within budget, we changed materials in spaces that were not as visible. Still a beautiful product, but we do not need to use the most expensive finish in every room. As a designer, my goal is to guide my clients to the best returns with the biggest personal impact.
What is the client communication process like?
I am extremely hands on with my clients… We call, text, DM, email, see each other at sporting events, and go out to lunch. When LCI is involved we are ALL IN. Communication is everything.
What advice would you give to homeowners considering a custom build?
Decide on your designer and architect at the same time! Architects have the big vision, and they work with you on creating the sizes of spaces. Designers work with you on how you live in and experience the space. It makes the process flow much better when they can collaborate from the start.
What inspires you?
My family is my inspiration, and they inspire me to be better every single day. My children are my personal inspiration, and my husband is my biggest supporter of my personal and professional aspirations.
Can you tell us about one of your favorite projects?
Oh, that’s easy! I just recently finished one of my all-time favorite projects this spring. Not only was the house design elegantly jaw-dropping, but most importantly, these clients fully trusted my vision from day one, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I really define my success based on the level of the relationship I have with the client.
It’s what matters most for a successful project. The design and everything that goes into the decision-making process leading up to the final product comes naturally when the relationship is strong. This translates into a happy homeowner!
Do you see any trends that you believe are here to stay?
Warm color is definitely coming back! Warmth, cozy, and color is coming back!
Work with Laura Cedor
Laura has worked on designs in the TerraBella community, but she is available to design in any Bardwell community. If you’d like to learn more about working with Laura Cedor on a Bardwell Home, contact us.